Martin Baturina, take a bow! The 23 year-old Croatian midfielder not only scored Como’s first ever Champions League goal Thursday night in a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig, but he also assisted and was voted MOTM with an exceptional 9.2 SofaScore rating,
Igor Matanović bagged two goals for Freiburg Saturday in a 5-0 thumping of Borussia Monchengladbach. Matanović now has 3G/1A in the first three Bundesliga matches of the season as Freiburg remain perfect in Germany. Matanović received an 8.9 SofaScore rating playing 78 minutes on the day.
Luka Modrić got the start for AC Milan Saturday but only played the 1st half as AC Milan came back from a 2-goal deficit to draw Lazio 2-2. Modrić received a 6.3 SofaScore rating on the day.
Joško Gvardiol assisted on the lone Haaland goal of the match (even though the VAR decision was deemed incorrect after the match) as City defeated United 1-0 in the Manchester Derby.
Luka Vušković got the start and played 78 minutes as Brighton thumped Coventry City 5-0 Sunday. Vušković received a 7.4 SofaScore rating for his efforts in the clean sheet.
Jaga can’t even get minutes in a Greek average team, not one minute cmon he’s gonna be in cro next year the guy had one winter for a pass now it’s concerning How are you not even a sub?
He’s young but 2 seasons of no soccer can derail a career. 5 games zero minutes
The more I watch highlights and read about players the more I think Bilić squad list was the shitz. Yes he’s best starting 11 can still be good but cmon.
Misic playing like a 6 year old with his decision making.
Modric getting called out by his coach basically saying unless we have passion modric is useless.
Matanovic kicking ass but we call six strikers
Krama unused sub
Bilić should have set the tone what’s the past is past and move on. He’s a coach head of a great soccer nation makes a mill per season do your job.
Let’s give Bilic the benefit of the doubt. He’s saying the right things…
– He suggested that Gvardiol should be playing CB
– He has the opposite view of Dalic regarding Vuskovic (who will be an unquestionable starter for us moving forward)
– He essentially cut both Duje and Pongracic (the two first-choice starters at the past World Cup) from the National Team
– He actually called up some backup fullbacks
– He is likely to to start all of Baturina, Petar Sucic and Matanovic in every game
This alone is a monstrous change from our starting eleven, which should have significant impact on the field.
However, the justified criticism of Bilic would that:
– he called up too many Dinamo players (likely under pressure from Boban)
– he called up too many old guard “senatori” like Pasalic, Krama, etc.
I don’t mind him calling up the older players…but only if they are filling gaps in smaller roles (where their leadership and experience is a huge help)…but if we start playing these guys 90-minute game, then it’s a problem. But let’s see what he does first.
As for the ‘premature’ callup of Misic and Beljo…let’s just see what happens. This could be a Boban situation, but it could also be a situation where Bilic put together his callup list too soon (and Dinamo has been struggling since then).
Again, if this is a situation where Beljo and Misic are being gifted big minutes and are pushed into big games, then it’s a problem…but if they’re just injury time subs, then we might be overthinking this.
I do mind him calling up old player like Krama & Buda. He should be calling up younger players even if they don’t get any first team minutes for the experience.
Misic is a good player but he should have been called up 3 yrs ago…not now that he is 32yrs old.
He should have integrated all the youth from the get go. We know that Bilic knows English so he definitely follows this site for coaching advice.
I get where you’re coming from…but we still want to win games.
As old as Budimir is, he still has value. He has 4 goals in 4 La Liga games this season so far. If he puts together another 20+ goal season, then of course he makes for a useful backup.
Real Madrid were thinking of bringing him on as a ‘Joselu’ type of niche striker. If he can play in a niche backup role for Real Madrid, then he can do it for us.
I think we both agree that we want Matanovic for 90 minutes out there, but if he’s unavailable and (say) Musa or Beljo are either out of form or just not working…then what?
Throwing Budimir out there for a game tying goal (with other experienced misfits like Mario Pasalic, Vlasic, Perisic or whoever) is still a good option if they are still in form and producing for their clubs.
But yes, in cases like Kramaric (who isn’t performing for his club) then you obviously cut him as he provides you no value as an out-of-form AND declining veteran.
Misic is a fringe example because he probably occupies the LAST spot on the National Team. It was probably between someone like Misic or Moro for that last spot, and neither should really be playing…but I guess they are there in case of potential multiple injuries to our defensively-capable central midfielders (like P.Sucic, Modric and Kova).
Misic’s performance from last season was likely the main reason for this current callup but he probably won’t get called up anymore if his current season continues the way it does.
Good news
Taborda came off injured at 20’
Bad news
Taborda scored another goal in the 14’
Manager brought another striker on not Jaga to replace
Italy NT contacted Taborda to join them for NL this month (he is dual Argentina-Italy)
Only an injury to Taborda is going to save Jaga at this point
Jaga has to save Jaga . . . only Jaga can save Jaga.
As for me, I am holding out hope that the 99.8% eye test cannot be too far wrong . . . and that this bad stretch is just a small bump on the road to eventual stardom for the NT . . .
Ivanovic!!!!!!!
Good that he scored.
He came off the bench (likely put there after his ineffective CL game) and he scored.
Hopefully he keeps it going.
He’s only 22 and could end up being another piece to our ever-growing Under-24 core of Baturina, Vuskovic, Gvardiol, Matanovic, Petar Sucic and maybe Luka Sucic.
The Ivanovic goal was big . . . it tied the the game 2-2 which is how it ended.
He broke at high speed, basically down the middle, and the Lens winger on the right side sent over a very well-placed cross. Ivanovic seemed to find some space, he got himself just a bit ahead and in a better position than the defenders, and it was a perfect header . . . the goalie had no chance.
BTW, speaking of Luka Sucic . . . .
Sofascore had Luka Sucic as the best player on the Real Sociedad side today. (He was more in the middle of the pack on Fotmob). Sociedad played well against Atletico Madrid, but then fell apart in the dying minutes . . . a very late penalty kick from the spot was given to Atletico Madrid, and Sucic’s Real Sociedad side gave up three goals very late in the game . . . though they had just as much of the overall play in the disappointing 3-0 loss.
Maminjo, in terms of adding to that under-24 core, I seem to recall that you have mentioned you are impressed with the organization and the young players that Istra has put together.
In addition to Bartolec’s reecent comments that Vrbanic at Osijek might well be one to watch (and I agree with our friend, Bartolec), I see that Istra won 3-2 today, and Sofascore had 18-year old central defender Kumar as the best defender on the field at 7.3, and 17-year-old left winger Nik Skafar Zuzic very highly rated at 7.7.
Fotmob, it should be noted, had Skafar Zuzic at 8.4 and rated him as far and away the second best player on the field. (Behind only Frederiksen, who scored all three goals for Istra).
Last season Kumar played well and received some positive comments here at CroatianSports, though perhaps some of the attention has moved from him to other players on Istra this year. Having said that, perhaps Kumar, as a central defender where we do have a future need, is someone we should keep an eye on. You will note that Anon mentions below that Kumar sent “a beautiful long diagonal ball to Skafar-Zuzic” which ultimately led to an Istra goal. It seems along with Vrbanic, these two younger players at Istra have real potential, and are possibly two HNL players to watch as the “ever-growing” youthful NT core develops further.
On that same note, while Bruno Durdov has fallen well down the prospect list and his transfer value has been cut in half, we also have to remember he too is only 18, and has plenty of time to get on track in Poland. Of interest to those in Canada, it looks like Durdov’s team, Gornik, right now at the top of the table in the Ekstraklasa, will be televised this week on DAZN at 11:30 am Pacific Time, Tuesday, September 15. Hopefully Durdov gets some minutes. So far he has not received much playing time.
But Kumar, Durdov, and Skafar-Zucic, are still probably 2-4 years away.
Right now it is Luka Sucic best poised to claim one of the coveted positions in the core youth group on the NT, with Ivanovic, Vrbanic, and Segecic, among the other leading potential near-term success stories.
Perhaps one might add Jagusic, and even Levak, to that list of those with the near-term potential. . .
@A Tin U
You keep on mentioning Durdov, unfortunately the kid has gone backwards in recent times. He looked impressive and was a better player as a 16-year-old than he is now.
Not sure that he can turn his career around despite still being a teenager?
Some players peak early and then stop progressing and Durdov could be one of those.
MART,
I agree with your analysis. 100%.
I accept you are very knowledgeable about football generally and Hajduk players in particular. And I am sure you watched him carefully, and might have even had high hopes yourself that he would become a starter and a star for Hajduk.
But he has gone backward. No question. He indeed could be one of those players who peaks early and stops progressing. You may well be right.
All I can say is that not long ago, he was rated as having one of the highest potential ceilings of all young Croatian footballers. I still retain some optimism that there is room for him to grow as a footballer, that his best is still ahead of him. He has gone to Poland, to a new team and a new league in a different country, which shows initiative and requires fortitude. Those are good characteristics and qualities that should serve him well.
Let’s see what happens. . .
if anyone watched Durdov play ou can see he is not a good player. he will be back in hrvatska in another year or two on loan.
I’m cautiously optimistic about Istra.
They’ve never produced National Team caliber players for us.
Istrianci just don’t seem to be that great at football…but Istra Pula suddenly has a bunch of young talented teens playing against 28 year olds in the HNL.
Very impressive.
Nobody is happier than Ivica Olić right now.
Hamburg got wiped again: 5-1.
Without Luka Vuskovic, they are having a very tough start.
Mario will have a big hill to climb, trying to help them avoid relegation when he gets back to the lineup.
Might be good news for Mario V.
Hamburg has four veteran CBs and two of these CBs are injured. The healthier two haven’t really been doing well in their starts.
They have been playing some teenager some minutes now, but he’s not some prospect or anything.
It seems like Hamburg are just very thin at the back and are desperate to try anything new.
I’m sure if Mario V was in the lineup, he would be given starts already.
They are missing Vuskovic and LB Munheim is injured (he’s a Swiss International) and other teams are exploiting their left side
They brought in CB Bornauw on loan (to replace Vuskovic) who already got injured so played a 19 y/o CB Nandja today
Until Munheim returns it won’t get better – but this bad start can only help Mario
They’ve also scored zero goals in 3 games with a 0-11 goals deficit – will be tough to scrap out of this/relegation
Anon, I agree they are going to have a tough time staving off relegation, especially with Schalke being a bit of a surprise so far, beating Union Berlin and getting a point in that tie against Bayern.
I suppose you and Maminjo are right to look a few moves down the chess board and see the bright side: the poor Hamburg start sets up well for Mario to get an opportunity to start, or at least get some meaningful minutes, upon his return to the team.
Istra 1-0
Kumar with a beautiful long diagonal ball to Skafar-Zuzic (@Bartolec: look how he receives the pass so smoothly and traps it – this is elite – the opposite of Franjo and Biondic’s loose touch) – it was S-Z first touch in the game – who dribbles trickily into the box and gets taken down – penalty – Friedrikson scores
What does the 99.8% eye test say about Kumar? Does he have NT potential?
Vrbancic spits some Latin “fortis fortuna adiuvat” (i.e. for the MORONS – fortune favors the brave) – so so cold – so he’s the MOST POWERFUL CROATIAN FOOTBALLER RUNNER of all-time and the FIRST CROATIAN FOOTBALLER TO SPIT LATIN – all the span of 24 hours – World’s his oyster
Skafar-Zuzic starting (no Fredrikssen nor Ahemeti in squad – injured? Argh) – also U21s Kumar, Sepic and Zebic starting – will try to watch the first half and report back
Sorry FOTMOB had the line-up all scrambled
Fredriksen and Ahmeti starting
Kumar CB, Sepic LB (!), Zebic CB
Will keep eyes open – but want to focus on Skafar-Zuzic
vrbancic the guy with the coolest hair ever is a polymath
he speaks multiple languages and is linguistic as hell
also a whiz at algebra
LOL! (Anon is sort of a Doc Holliday/Johnny Ringo-type figure . . . )
Vusko off after 77 minutes w/ Brighton up 3-0
Similar to how Vusko was playing – Anonymous wasn’t really paying attention and had it on in the background most of the time – Vusko put in a 7-like performance would say – at times just not concentrating enough – the defending box play (they were pinned back for awhile in the first half) was very difficult as very congested and a bit of a jungle getting around – nothing remarkable to report
Lewis Dunk just scored a Worldly to make it 4-0
Sad that @Truth’s lazy pimply analyst sleeps in/takes Sundays off (probably hung-over) and in light of Jure Rasic’s passing on his 89th birthday has yet to enlighten us about the “birthday effect” (per Swiss study 14% of >60 y/o die on their birthday vs. 0.27% odds)
RIP to one of our greatest boxing champions ranked as high as #2 in the world our beloved Croatian Canadian George Cuvalo
Shhh don’t say Canadian Croat Maminjo will get his knickers in a twist
He’s American Croat.
No he’s Canadian and Commonwealth champion. If he were to fight from the US at that time with the best heavy weights as a hole fighting at the same time he could have been one of the greatest of all time especially financially being he he dident cut easily for a white man and dident go down. I respect that he allways stayed for Canada that’s what real men do and I’m proud he’s Croatian heritage. I don know if there was a boxer or any athlete for that matter that sacrificed more then he did . For me you are the greatest of all time RIP.
Davorin, in addition to his being your personal choice as greatest of all time, no boxing fan could argue with this statement:
“One of the toughest of all time”.
Tough.
The definition of tough.
Very few heavyweights live to such an old age . . . lightweights yes, but heavyweights don’t tend to . . . he had a very strong constitution.
God bless him.
Canadian Croat your Wikipedia needs updating
Yes he wasn’t Comonwealth champion my mistake when I played soccer he came to the practises some times and tryouts in winter and sat on the school stage some times shadow boxing with friends. I dident know who he was at that time . Heard he was both Canadian and Commonwealth champion. Sorry about that Commonwealth title the rest I believe correct. I dont like to get my thoughts from computer to old for that thank you for the correction
Isn’t Canada a US state?
After watching the highlights – some thoughts:
Vrbancic vs. Misic
If yesterday was the first time you saw them play – and you didn’t know anything about either – and didn’t get a close up on their faces to gauge age – you would think that Vrbancic is the 32 y/o – and Misic is the 21 y/o – think about what Anonymous just said, it’s brilliant – Misic was unsure in his decision making, lacked confidence, made mistake after mistake and didn’t seem to know what to do and how to do it (typical of a young player) – meanwhile Vrbancic decision making, plays and effort looked like a seasoned pro who’s 32
On the Vrbancic break-away goal – really watched his run closely – he has above average speed for sure – what what struck me – is the POWER in his running – he has such power in his strides – he’s a like a thoroughbred horse or something when he runs like that – I think he might be the MOST POWERFUL CROATIAN FOOTBALL RUNNER of all-time – watch it again – really impressive (again not the speed, but the way he runs) – suspect this would translate VERY WELL into a better league i.e. to be press resistant and the like – profiles most similar to Kovacic I think
Kotarski
Please check the tape – exactly one week ago – I told u MORONS the issue with him is decision making from being may too overly aggressive at times (nothing to do with distribution/his feet – it’s his brain that’s the problem)
He must have read Anonymous – and now has doubled down – in what world does he need to rush out in the play leading to Osijek’s 4th goal ? That’s not being overly aggressive – that’s being a complete moron – sprinting from his box to the half-way line – and then messing it up anyways – it’s so dumb – it’s so stupid – that’s nothing about team-first, that’s about him wanting to get on camera thinking he’s prime Neuer or something
That’s 10x worse than any previous overly aggressive play/mistake he’s made – doesn’t look like he’s calming down as he ages – really hurts his chances as Croatia NT #1
On some of the other goals he’s meh too
Valincic
After that first half – should just stop playing football – I’m serious – hang up the boots you’re done – that defending is inexcusable – like the worst FB defending Anonymous has ever seen in their life – it’s over – give up and go hammer some nails
Ivanusec
DZ’s saviour ! LMAO. DZ needs to stop accepting these failed Croats that no team outside the HNL want. Market is efficient.
Kovacevic
Not sure why people say he needs to go – is it his fault for the DZ players not concentrating and putting in the right effort ? Misic strolling around/giving up the ball (isn’t he captain – shouldn’t he organize on field?), Valincic with worst FB defending of all-time (Noa Mikic was be laughing his ass off), shaky central defenders dumb and dumber, etc etc etc – the manager gets the slack (bc its easier to change manager than change the whole squad mid-season) – but the players on field need to take responsibility – it’s the f-ing HNL – it’s not like they are playing Real Madrid or something – changing the coach changes nothing (see Tttenham – even chasing the players doesn’t change anything!)
Vrbancic has been a big prospect for us for a while now.
Last year was an off year, as he was injured and out of form coming back, but he was always a player.
Glad to see him hit the season strong. Would be good to call him up for Euro qualifiers if he continues to play like this.
Too bad that Valincic cannot replicate his strong starts from the beginning of last season. Not sure if it’s injury-related, or if those first few months of last year was just fool’s gold.
And the coolest hair on that vrbancic fellow..
Cedevita should jump on the Vrbančić hype and sign the orange-haired Vrbo to a sponsorship deal.
always thinking
I like it
Before his injury Vrbancic was playing really well. Watched him for the under21s and Osijek and came away impressed.It’s true he did not play well after he came back from his injury last season. For me Vrbancic has been the best midfielder in the HNL this season. Valincic since his injury is no were near the player he was.
Apropos this question from A Tin U in a comment somewhere below:
“What are the chances that over the next 12-24 months, just 2-3 more such stories might emerge, 2-3 players who will come to the fore, players that we don’t really have on the NT radar right now.”
Maybe Vrbancic could be 1 such player..?🤔
Euros are two years away and a lot could happen.
For example, Petar Sucic and Igor Matanovic received their first caps for us exact two years ago.
Look how much has happened with both of them since then.
Someone from our pool of unproven youngsters will step up and make the team. Maybe Jagusic…maybe Stojkovic…maybe Vrbancic….maybe Levak…or maybe a new face.
Vuskovic starts at 9am ET
Looks like same Brighton line-up as last game
Good test for Vusko to face Coventry’s #9 Awoniyi – who beyond being physical and having smart movements – was clocked at 36.7 km/h top speed (!) when at Nottingham Forest – I’m sure Vusko’s private footage analyst got him lots of tape to review so he’s prepared though
Where can I find the matanovic goals?
Found them. Nice strikers goals. The header is close range but the movement is good to get in between the central defenders and the header is controlled and purposeful. The first time shot is good quality poachers goal. He looks confident. I’ve not watched him much. But I’ve been impressed with him for the NT. against Portugal he was immense. And articles say his link up play is good. Definitely first choice striker right now. Bilić said he wants to see all the strikers in action before he makes up his mind. So hopefully all of them are firing to prove themselves and we get some goals over the 4 matches.
Bilic and his elite world-class psychology tactics / man management already at play here before we’re even at NT camp yet. In the press conference, he threw out a brilliant line that he’s inviting all the (and more) strikers as “none of them are Benzema”. That’s a test/motivational tool. Imagine you’re one of the strikers and you hear that. The purpose of that line is to test your mental grit/toughness and offend you and convey “you’re not good enough, you need to do better, do more, be better”. So before the NT camp even begins, Bilic throws that out, grabs his popcorn and now watches how the strikers react. Musa picked up a knock. Beljo said he’s nauseous. Budimir and Franjo came out with donuts. Maybe he already thought Igor could be “the one”, but to put his ass to the fire, he’s invited Beljo (another brilliant “don’t get too comfortable” tactic), so he feels under threat for his position and gets into the next gear.
Not one person in the WHOLE WORLD picked up on the “none of them are Benzema” line and dissected it. That’s why the World has Anonymous. We can all thank God for Anonymous’ existence.
Or it could just mean that none of them are Benzena 😊
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-smxGGWM4us
Matanovic did well. I wish he stayed on to play the last 15-20 minutes (instead of being subbed out).
I want him to get the Bundesliga scoring title.
In addition to his goals, I liked the fact that he was pressing the opposition backline.
He actually pressured and won the ball from the opposing defender, but the ref bailed out the defender and called a foul that the announcer called a very ‘generous’ foul.
This was a very “Mandzukic” type of play. Matanovic definitely has Mandzukic potential if he continues to press like this, constantly get into the right place, and score headers.
https://torontosun.com/sports/other-sports/legendary-canadian-boxer-george-chuvalo-dies-on-89th-birthday
Hate to be the bearer of bad news,
George Chuvalo just passed. 89y/o.
We were just talking about him on here when Hrga won, saw someone mention him..
It was time.
His last few years were a struggle with dementia, and his Croatian durability just kept him alive to almost 90 years of age.
The man is a legend and will finally rest in peace with his kids.
Adrien Thomasson
Croatian mother
Same age as Misic – scored a fox in the box goal today – let’s call him Bilic
Woah, gamewinner against Marseille. Will watch the goal later.
Btw, Adrien Thomasson had the joint highest number of assists (9) in Ligue 1 last season, when he was still playing for Lens.
Matanovic looks like he had a good summer.
Dude looks like he hit the gym.
Good for him, looks ripped
We need him
He had a good World Cup too.
But unfortunately for us, he was our third-choice striker behind Budimir and Musa.
Dalic got a lot wrong in this past World Cup by benching Vuskovic, Petar Sucic, Matanovic and going all-in on an injured Gvardiol (with no backup fullbacks). Bilic has such an easy job now.
indeed
Igor looks dangerous.
That first goal was a heck of strike, he first-timed the pass and hit the ball with precision . . . right off the inside of the post. The keeper had little chance.
The announcer said that you can’t teach that kind of natural goal scoring instinct that Matanovic displayed.
The three biggest stories in the past 12-14 months have been the emergence of Baturina, Petar Sucic, and Vuskovic as star young players in top five leagues . . . .
But we are almost at the point where we can say that Igor is becoming a similar story, a fourth such story. I think he is better right now than many people thought he ever would be. In just a short time, he has gone from a young striker with potential who got very little playing time, to a top Bundesliga striker on a very good Freiburg club.
Here is the question: what are the chances that over the next 12-24 months, just 2-3 more such stories might emerge, 2-3 players who will come to the fore, players that we don’t really have on the NT radar right now.
If that were to happen, looking at this emerging core group, you’d have to like the quality of our NT heading into 2028/2030.
Yeah, really liked the fact that he took some time and worked out. Looks 7-10 lbs heavier than Toronto.
With his death-stare and now little heavier he’s gonna be ok
Lol death stare!
As Anonymous eye test reported at the time Igor was GREAT vs Portugal when he came on
So Anonymous is personally not surprised by this next step in performance
He needs to go through the whole season at this level – then we know he’s the real deal
Suspect Freiburg will get many many offers for him in the winter transfer window – but he should stay put and produce – he can move in the summer if he really wants to (but only to a team where he’ll have a shot to be the main man)
Freiburg only paid 6 million for him a year ago.
They’re going to make a killing off him. Transfermarkt had him at 22 million before the World Cup. I expect that number to double by the end of the season.
i know
what a steal
Sunday ET
9am Vuskovic
11am Skafar-Zuzic
2:30 Jaga ❤️ ❤️❤️😘🤗
Biondic two assists
Should be called up
It would be criminal if he’s not called up in the next window.
Has he expressed interest in playing for us?
Also you really have to admire USG scouts. They probably have one of the best track records in the world currentlyz
He’s already played for us at U14 same team as Igor, Franjo, Vidovic
https://x.com/lessmore_cro/status/2007698774353948822?s=46
Fotmob 8.8 MOTM, but against a weak side I guess (never heard of Lommel before).
Nonetheless, Biondic is becoming very interesting. I kinda view him as a possible swap for Ivanovic (if Ivanovic doesn’t take off at Lens).
Funnily enough the two of them share some uncanny similarities.
– born in 2003
– have links with Union SG
– grew up in Germany (for Franjo, during his adolescence)
– have touch and ball-to-feet issues according to Anonymous
Mandic
4 goals
Zero saves
At least we know why he’s been on the bench for over a year with no minutes
Sutalo subbed off at 83rd minute.
2-2 Lazio-Milan at this point.
One bad blunder in second half, but overall he was steady in his first game in a long while.
I didn’t watch but SofaScore has him as the worst rated player on the field
He was solid enough . . .
But as I say, one very bad blunder in the second half . . . he gave Pulisic the ball, who then had a clean break toward the Lazio goal, Sutalo was lucky that Milan did not score on that play . . . I think that probably dropped his SofaScore rating a great deal.
I watched Sutalo a fair bit in the Eredivisie. His first and third seasons were poor. When he was a dominant force in the second season, 2024-25, and named to the Eredivisie all-start team (or “Eredivisie Team of the Year” or whatever they call it) at the end of that season, it seemed like he was on his way . . . in fact it seemed he had fulfilled a prediction that you, Maminjo, made right here after his first bad season at Ajax . . you said that in time Sutalo would be one of the best defenders in the entire Eredivisie. And so it was in 2024-25. He proved you right when everyone else doubted.
But . . . then he inexplicably went backward.
In that stellar season, 2024-25, where I thought he excelled was, for example, at interceptions. He seemed to anticipate plays as well as any defender in the league, and rather than waiting until the ball came in to the opposing striker, Sutalo would accelerate forward and break up the play, sometimes with a clean interception. He was damn good at interceptions. What I thought was particularly good after he intercepted the ball, is that he was so crisp and accurate with his passes up field, that he created a dramatic transition game for Ajax . . . and they had a good season that year, only blowing the league title after a few bad losses at year end.
I cannot say what is wrong with Sutalo, or what changed last season and into World Cup . . . is it simply confidence? . . . given that Lazio’s games are pretty accessible on television, maybe you, or Slavonac, or Crnkovic, or some of the usual suspects, can watch his play in Serie A, and explain why he is not playing at his potential.
Man that description of Sutalo’s performance in season 2024-45 is so vivid and precise I can totally understand why he was named to the Eredivisie team of the year. That also aligns with the best version of Sutalo I saw when he was playing for the repka. As to why he has gone backward, I’m just taking a wild guess here… maybe like Jagusic, personal /romantic issues are getting in the way of his career..?🤪
Tin, I’m too lazy 😛 to watch the highlights. I know you’ve said Sutalo made one bad blunder but can I assume he was not directly at fault for both of Milan’s goals?
Re Luka Sucic, yeah I remember: folks here, including me, were high on him after Euro 2024. I thought he was gonna be our next midfield star and he was well ahead of Baturina back then. PSucic wasn’t even in the picture yet haha.
And oh boy, does LSucic have a wand of a left foot… which he used to slam in that gamewinner at Elche, and remember that instinctive goal against Atletico in his rookie season with Real Sociedad? It was later voted by fans as the La Liga goal of the season.
(You can watch it in the clip below:)
dubz.co/c/7d47fd
Re Vidovic, 100% agreed. I’m also not ready to give up on him yet. Btw, Slavonac once said something interesting about him… he said Vidovic is someone who will dribble you even in a phone booth!
Osijek 4 v Dinamo 2
Watched the last 15 minutes of this unbelievable result in Osijek. This surely will be the end of Mario Kovacevic.
Osijek struggling in the last few weeks after selling their 3 best and senior players put in a tremendous performance probably one of their best performances in HNL history?
Should be the end of Kotarski, Misic, Beljo and Stojko call ups to the NT
MART, maybe the recent 3-1 loss to Segesta was a wake up call for Osijek?
Maybe that kicked them in the rear end?
Not to look too far ahead this early in the season, but are you beginning to wonder if Hajduk’s chances to top the HNL in 2026-27 might be just a little bit better than you thought they were only 3-4 weeks ago?
We have recruited well in the last few weeks, but I’m still of the opinion that Dinamo will win the title.
Lazio 2-0 over Milan at half.
Sutalo has started and is playing solidly.
Modric had a rough first half.
Modric was horrendous
Sutalo was great!
So we have a future potential star with Matanovic and Bilic is like yeah let’s call 6 strikers for a tryouts ok?
Misic is not national team material and 32 years old but Bilic thinks he’s Rodri.
Ac Milan coach admits modric can’t press obviously he’s 41 but he can help with possession. But even though we have so many midfielders that can press and keep possession let’s still keep modric makes sense.
Krama literally needs a cane to walk
Still makes no sense to be dropping Modric. At 41 he’s obviously not built for the high pressing AC Milan wants to play, but he’s great for the possession game the Croatian national team has played for years and still one of our best options. Even if we ignore his legacy, the quality is there
I mean if Modric wants to keep playing, I don’t think any coach would have the power to keep him off the team.
Unfortunately, Modric also the influence to keep the rest of his old buddies on the team too.
A+ Post right here. CroCan sums up our dilemma, yes dilemma with this guy perfectly.
10 needs to go pronto
The imo ideal situation would be to only call up players who would be in contention to play in the next Euros. Let someone like Kova be the veteran and experiment with the younger players.
If we make it out of the group stage, then we can bring back some of the older guys, namely Luka and Perisic and give them one last chance to win a tournament. But preferably, we would still use them as pieces off the bench.
Anonymous endorses this message
Nice to see Krama get sidelined since he’s back – hopefully it continues and Bilic can disinvite him
Yeah, he’s another one. Guy plays 22 minutes this summer, obviously hurt but still takes the free trip to North America with his wife and kids.
Real sweet that el cheapo would do that and taking away a roster spot from one of our youngsters who would have benefited from the experience exponentially..
Andrej had other thoughts tho..
As previewed
Ivan Mandic starts starts starts
Since PL started, in 33 visits to Stamford Bridge the Sprs have only won once
Jakirovic almost does it his first time (and he deserved the win not a draw)
3rd in table with 8 points (each point is worth so so much)
Unreal stuff
Looking over Hull pre-season, even the 99.8% Anon eye test did not see this fantastic start coming.
Each point is huge in order to escape relegation. Looks like Jakirovic is more than 20% of the way there already . . .
Dinamo currently losing 2-0 to Osijek at the 36 minute mark. Osijek looks motivated, Vrbancic especially is playing out of his mind.
But once again, I ask: what is Micic doing in the NT? Obvious Dinamo bias from the HNS
Misic*
Vrbancic was playing really well last season until his injury. This season he has been the best central midfielder in the HNL. He looks twice the player Misic is right now.
He’s just gotten himself a goal as well. A very impressive and underrated player.
Jo,
A good question. I do not have an answer.
Kotarski beaten for four . . .any comments on Kotarski? Maybe he had no chance on any of those goals . . . ?
I saw all of Osijek’s goals but the last. Maybe Kotarski could have done better on the second goal? But no chance on the first and third. He also had a couple decent saves.
Olic cried to keep Vrbrancic too
Meanwhile Hungary’s 8 best under 21 players already with A team (that hasnt qualified for a WC since 1986 lol)
Following Igor’s BRACE today – Top 5 leagues Goals + Assists table:
9 Raphinha (8+1)
9 Matanovic (6+3)
7 Yamal (5+2)
And you MORONS are debating about Musa, Budimir, Beljo, etc lol
Learn ball
Why do you always feel the need to call people on this site morons lol
Yeah there is no debate at this point. Matanović has to start.
If nothing else, it appears we can conclude this entire string in unanimous agreement on at least one point: Matanovic is not a moron.
The look Nico Paz is giving Baturina in that photo, is the look of a man who just had his team snatched away from him.
I think they get along well.
Do they both have a future at Real Madrid?
And what about Cesc going back to Spain?
Yes, Cesc has Barcelona roots . . . but Cesc has made it clear he is open to going to Real Madrid. And Real Madrid has made no secret of the fact that they keep Cesc on their shortlist . . .
Could they all end up at Real? Cesc, Paz, and Bati?
Hull
Weird thing
Their new signings are still not in the starting XI and only a few on the bench
Either Jakirovic is too loyal to guys who got him to the PL and/or the players they bought aren’t actually good enough
Feels odd
Don’t be silly anonymous these things take time. Human beings, not chess pieces
Dear Jaga –
Please don’t be like Guy Ritchie
Lock Stock and Snatch is your time at Slaven
Madonna is your GF draining your balls every minute – where it all went pear shape
Poof – 20 years go by – till he releases the Gentlemen
Let’s try to follow more the Tarantino arch and career path
Ok ?
Love, Hugs and Kisses
Anonymous
Saturday ET
09:30 Vidovic vs Kovac
09:30 Igor
09:30 Krama
10:00 jakirovic Stamford Bridge
10:00 Segecic
10:00 Crnac
10:30 Pjaca
12:00 Modric vs Sutualo
13:00 hearing Ivan Mandic first start vs Porto (Andre Gomes still injured) – someone watch and report back!
14:45 Super Mario
14:45 Biondic
15:00 Darko